[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 809 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 809

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     November 18, 2020.
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea enjoy a comprehensive 
        alliance partnership, founded in shared strategic interests and cemented 
        by a commitment to democratic values;
Whereas the United States and the Republic of Korea work closely together to 
        promote international peace and security, economic prosperity, human 
        rights, and the rule of law;
Whereas the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea 
        goes as far back as Korea's Chosun Dynasty, when the United States and 
        Korea established diplomatic relations under the 1882 Treaty of Peace, 
        Amity, Commerce, and Navigation;
Whereas, on August 15, 1948, the Provisional Government of the Republic of 
        Korea, established on April 11, 1919, was dissolved and transitioned to 
        the First Republic of Korea, the first independent government;
Whereas regional peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific promotes shared United 
        States-Republic of Korea interests of prosperity and economic well-
        being;
Whereas United States military personnel have maintained a continuous presence 
        on the Korean Peninsula since the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the 
        United States and the Republic of Korea (5 UST 2368) was signed at 
        Washington on October 1, 1953;
Whereas, on May 7, 2013, the United States and the Republic of Korea signed a 
        Joint Declaration in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the 
        Alliance Between the Republic of Korea and the United States;
Whereas 63 years ago the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between 
        the United States and the Republic of Korea, with Protocol (8 UST 2217) 
        was signed at Seoul on November 28, 1956;
Whereas the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States, our 
        shared national security interests, the 9,000 South Korean civilians 
        working to support the joint mission of United States Forces Korea and 
        the 28,500 United States military service members currently stationed in 
        South Korea, are best served by the conclusion of mutually agreeable, 
        multi-year Special Measures Agreements;
Whereas the economic relationship between the United States and the Republic of 
        Korea is deep and mutually beneficial to both countries;
Whereas the Republic of Korea is the United States sixth-largest trading 
        partner;
Whereas the Republic of Korea is one of the fastest growing sources of foreign 
        direct investment in the United States;
Whereas the United States is the second largest source of foreign direct 
        investment in the Republic of Korea;
Whereas, on January 13, 1903, 102 pioneer Korean immigrants arrived in the 
        United States, initiating the first chapter of Korean immigration to 
        America;
Whereas the over 2,000,000 Korean Americans living in the United States 
        contribute to the diversity and prosperity of our Nation, participate in 
        all facets of American life, and have made significant contributions to 
        the economic vitality of the United States;
Whereas members of the Korean American community serve with distinction in the 
        United States Armed Forces;
Whereas Korean Americans continue to build and strengthen the alliance between 
        the United States and the Republic of Korea; and
Whereas the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (Public Law 115-409), signed into 
        law on December 31, 2018, states that the United States Government--

    (1) is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States 
and the Republic of Korea and all related and subsequent bilateral security 
agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the 
enactment of that Act;

    (2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the United States 
and South Korea in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; 
and

    (3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, 
and security ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea: Now, 
therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the vital role the alliance of the United States and 
        the Republic of Korea plays in promoting peace and security in the Indo-
        Pacific region;
            (2) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, 
        economic, and security ties between the United States and the Republic 
        of Korea, including through the conclusion of mutually agreeable multi-
        year Special Measures Agreements; and
            (3) reaffirms the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea 
        is central to advancing United States interests, engagement, and 
        influence in the region, based on shared commitments to democracy, free-
        market economics, human rights, and the rule of law.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.